Taken during the "Römerfest" in Hüfingen (Germany), a former founding by the Romans who had built there a castle (around the years 37 to 45 AD), bath and other buildings which later developed into a small town then known as "Brigobannis". The castle was part of the Danubian Limes in the province of Germania Superior (number 41 on this map: [link] ).

Stamped bricks mark the Roman bath to be one of the oldest military baths north of the Alps - it was built around 69 to 101 AD by soldiers of the Leg XI CPF which was mostly stationed in the province Helvetia (Swizerland) - headquartered in Vindonissa (Windisch) - but also manned outposts along the limes in Germania Superior and Raetia.

This legionaire is (as already mentioned) the optio of this group, he is armored with the lorica segmentata (lamellar armor), scutum (shield), a gallo-roman helmet (cassia) and is armed with the gladius hispaniensis (short swort) and the pugio (military dagger). The staff is afaik a sign of his command - during battle drills it is used to point out the places (head or feet) that are to be attacked.

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For more on the reenactment group Leg XI CPF go here: [link] (page in German)

First of all, kudos to whoever made this costume! It must have cost a fortune, but it sure looks awesome. For some reason, I always thought the two extra "side feathers" were more a feature of the early, Pre-Marius Roman Army, but then again, I guess there's no evidence to suggest that Imperial Legionaries didn't also wear them too. My only major gripe is that I wish I could see more of that awesome armor behind that shield! But oh well, the shield too has a pretty good paint job. Overall, I have to give this guy 5/5 for the effort.